You Can’t Level Up With People Committed to Staying the Same

EXPERT OPINION BY DONNEBRA MCCLENDON

I hate to be the one to tell you but, loyalty is killing your career.

Some of you are trying to elevate your career while staying loyal to a circle that’s committed to staying comfortable, and it’s costing you more than you realize.

Not your talent.

Not your degree.

Not your potential.

It’s your circle.

Let’s Talk About It.

Here’s the truth nobody says out loud:

You can’t become exceptional while being consistently surrounded by average thinking.

At some point, you have to decide:

“Do I want to be liked… or do I want to level up?”

Because sometimes, you don’t need more opportunities, you need a different environment.

Your Circle Is Either Fuel… or Friction.

Your circle will do one of three things:

1. Stretch you

2. Support you

3. Stagnate you

And the dangerous part?

The third one doesn’t feel toxic.

It feels familiar.

It sounds like:

• “You’re doing too much.”

• “That’s not realistic.”

• “I’m sure they already have somebody picked for that role.”

• “Why would you go for that?”

Translation……..

“Stay where we are so we don’t feel left behind.”

Let’s Get Practical: Catch It. Check It. Change It.

If you’re serious about leadership, growth, and building something meaningful—you need to audit your circle with intention.

Here’s how:

1. CATCH IT: Pay Attention to What Your Circle Normalizes

Start observing, not just participating.

Ask yourself:

• What do we talk about the most?

• Are conversations growth-focused or gossip-driven?

• Do they challenge me… or just agree with me?

If your circle normalizes:

• Mediocrity

• Excuses

• Fear of visibility

Then guess what?

You will too.

You don’t rise above what you consistently tolerate.

2. CHECK IT: Be Honest About Who’s Feeding You, and Who’s Draining You

This part requires courage.

Not everyone in your life is assigned to your next level.

Check your circle by asking:

• Who celebrates my growth without competition?

• Who gives me honest, constructive feedback?

• Who gets uncomfortable when I evolve?

And let's be clear:

Just because someone has history with you doesn’t mean they have alignment with your future.

Read that again.

3. CHANGE IT: Intentionally Curate Your Environment

This is where most people hesitate.

Because changing your circle doesn’t always mean cutting people off.

Sometimes it means:

• Changing access

• Changing influence

• Changing proximity

Add people who:

• Think bigger than you

• Move with intention

• Hold you accountable to your potential

Put yourself in rooms where:

• You’re not the smartest

• You’re not the most accomplished

• You’re slightly uncomfortable

Because that’s where growth lives.

Final Thought

Leadership isn’t just about how you lead others.

It's about how you lead yourself, including who you allow in your circle.

So, if you’ve been feeling stuck, overlooked, or underutilized…

Before you blame the system, the company, or the opportunity, ask yourself:

“Is my circle aligned with where I’m trying to go… or where I’ve been?”

Because the truth is:

You don’t outgrow your circle by accident.

You outgrow it by intention.

And if you’re serious about leveling up,

It’s time to upgrade your environment.

Visit www.donnebra.com for more info.